Esikhaleni Regional Court has convicted and sentenced a 50-year-old foster father to life in jail for raping his daughter between August 2011 and September 2012.
The accused would rape the then 12-year-old child in the absence of his wife at Mkhobosa Reserve, Esikhaleni, and then threaten to kill the child if she reported the incident. Realising that the abuse would not stop, the victim bravely reported the matter.
A case of rape was opened at Esikhaleni police station, said police spokesperson captain Nqobile Gwala, and it was transferred to the Empangeni Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for investigation.
“As soon as the investigators received the docket, the investigation was conducted and the accused was arrested. He was taken to court where he was tried and convicted. He was sentenced to undergo life imprisonment.”
KwaZulu-Natal Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Bheki Langa said he was satisfied with the sentence. “I am happy that the accused received a well-deserving sentence for his heinous acts. He abused the child who was placed under his care. She trusted him and did not expect such treatment from him. Her bravery to report the accused is commended,” he said.